Date Approved

5-4-2026

Embargo Period

5-4-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ed.D. Educational Leadership

Department

Educational Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Hajime Mitani, PhD

Committee Member 1

Michelle Zechner, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Herbert Simmerman, Ed.D.

Keywords

Census Reduction;Deinstitutionalization;Psychiatry;Readmissions;Recidivism;State Psychiatric Hospitals

Abstract

The purposes of this descriptive, retroactive, and quantitative study were to create a risk index to predict 30-day readmissions to a state psychiatric hospital and to lend clarity to the conflicting research on 30-day readmissions. This study assessed discharges from 2006-2019 (N = 4,555) across over 28 variables ranging from patient, hospital, and discharge domains. This study created a model comprised of significant variables and converted it into a weighted risk index. These significant variables included: circulatory disease diagnosis, previous admissions to hospital, number of psychiatric diagnoses, region of discharge, PACT referral, and level of placement. The resulting index predicted 30-day readmissions with 92% reliability. Ramifications of this study include improved assessment upon intake, treatment geared directly toward preventing readmissions, and data-informed aftercare decision-making.

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